Empowerment

Children’s Day 2026: Adesola Demands Inclusive Education for Left-Handed, Neurodivergent Pupils

Published

5 months ago

June 4, 2026

Children’s Day inclusion reform Nigeria gains attention as Adesola calls for better support for left-handed and neurodivergent children

Anti-bullying advocate and convener of the Lefties and Ambidextrous Care Initiative Nigeria, Yeye Adesola Oyinloye-Ndu, has called for urgent educational and societal reforms to ensure inclusion for left-handed and neurodivergent children in Nigeria during the commemoration of Children’s Day 2026.

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Speaking on the national theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” she urged parents, educators and policymakers to stop forcing children to conform to rigid standards and instead build systems that allow every child to thrive naturally.

The advocate focused on the daily challenges faced by left-handed children, including classroom tools and learning environments largely designed for right-handed users, which she said often lead to emotional strain and loss of confidence.

She described such experiences as a silent form of exclusion that can undermine a child’s identity from an early age, stressing that inclusion must go beyond surface-level tolerance.

According to global estimates cited in her address, around 10 to 12 percent of the population is left-handed, a figure that translates to millions of Nigerian children navigating systems not designed for them.

Beyond handedness, she expanded her call to include neurodivergent children, urging greater awareness of different learning styles and cognitive patterns in classrooms across the country.

The inclusion reform message also emphasised the need for teachers and parents to recognise individuality, creativity and diverse ways of learning as strengths rather than weaknesses.

She warned that persistent labelling or correction of natural differences can negatively affect children’s emotional development and long-term confidence.

“Inclusion is not charity. Inclusion is justice,” she stated, underscoring her argument that acceptance should be a fundamental right rather than an optional gesture.

The Lefties and Ambidextrous Care Initiative Nigeria, founded and convened by Oyinloye-Ndu, continues to advocate for awareness and structural support for left-handed and ambidextrous individuals, particularly children in schools and homes.

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The organisation says it remains committed to promoting dignity, equality and better learning environments for all children regardless of how they are naturally wired.

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State development

Bauchi Urges Girls to Pursue Education and Skilled Jobs

Published

3 weeks ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi girls’ education campaign urges students to complete school, learn vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men

Girls in Bauchi State have been encouraged to complete their education, acquire vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men as part of efforts to promote financial independence and reduce gender inequality.

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The call was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at an event in Bauchi to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event was organised under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, and Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha Idris, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, said the annual observance aimed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and promote their well-being.

He said the programme was designed to encourage girls to explore a wider range of professions and address gender disparities in the workplace.

Idris urged students to use their school holidays to learn practical skills, including shoemaking and soap production, which could help them earn an income and improve their economic prospects.

“Girls should not feel ashamed of learning a trade or engaging in legitimate businesses. These skills can provide them with sources of income, promote financial independence and reduce their reliance on others,” he said.

Monica Tanko, Executive Director of Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, urged the girls to remain committed to their education and avoid leaving school before completing their studies.

She also encouraged them to develop practical skills alongside their formal education, saying the combination could help prepare them for future challenges and employment opportunities.

Tanko stressed the importance of self-reliance while encouraging the students to maintain their personal dignity as they pursued their ambitions.

Timothy Ibrahim, an engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience, encouraged the students to consider engineering and other professions in which women have traditionally been underrepresented.

He urged them not to allow gender stereotypes to discourage them from pursuing their interests, adding that girls could excel when they had access to opportunities, encouragement and support.

His message reinforced the event’s call for girls to look beyond occupations traditionally associated with women and explore careers across technical and professional fields.

The event was attended by female students from several schools in Bauchi metropolis, including Rafin Zurfi, Bakaro, Unguwar Doya, Gudun Sayawa and the Federal Government Girls’ College.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights and draw attention to challenges affecting their development.

The Bauchi event used the occasion to highlight the importance of education, vocational training and access to a wider range of career opportunities.

The organisers’ message was that empowering girls requires more than keeping them in school.

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Access to practical skills, supportive role models and opportunities to enter different professions can also help young women build greater economic independence and participate more fully in their communities.